Sawtell

NSW 2452 · Coffs Harbour

3,788 (2021) → 3,875 est. (2025) · Stable

Part of the Coffs Harbour local government area (est. 81,408 residents)

Overall score

Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.

3,788

Population

$1.16M

Median house (2026)

Safety score

Transport score

Sawtell is a stable suburb in Coffs Harbour, NSW 2452, about 428km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $1.16M is around the same as the NSW average. The suburb has 1 school, a transport score of 54/100, and is right by the coast. Sawtell has an overall score of 55/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 20/100.

428.3 km

To Sydney CBD

810 m

To coast

$650/wk

Median rent (house)

1.0 km

To nearest station

Loading map…

Demographics

3,788

Population

Median age

2.3

Avg household

Age distribution

Coffs Harbour LGA population (est. 2025)81,408

Median household income (weekly)$1,405

vs NSW median-24.1%

Median taxable income (individual)$52,544/yr

vs national median ($59,576)↓ -12%

ATO 2023-24, postcode 2452 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.

Bachelor degree or higher39.3%

Born in Australia83.1%

Dwellings: house / unit / townhouse1,070 / 260 / 194

Top countries of birth: England (3.59%), New Zealand (1.48%), South Africa (0.66%), Scotland (0.45%), Netherlands (0.34%)

Top languages: Japan (0.4%), Spanish (0.32%), Thai (0.32%), French (0.29%), Afrikaans (0.16%)

Source: ABS Census 2021

Property

$1.16M-20.0%

Median house (2026)

$723K-4.9%

Median unit (2026)

Median price history

Median rent — house / unit$650 / $530 wk

Rental yield (house)2.9%

Days on market (house)42 days

Source: NSW Valuer General · Updated Q1 2026

Residential Safety

Residential

Recorded residential incidents (latest year), with rate per 100,000 residents:

Break & enter dwelling792/100k

Steal from dwelling132/100k

Motor vehicle theft528/100k

Domestic assault475/100k

Robbery0/100k

Non-domestic assault370/100k

Includes street and public-place assaults — supplementary context, not part of the safety score.

Residential incidents over time

Sum of the five residential categories above — not all recorded crime.

Area crime context

Total recorded incidents: 214 (all categories, latest year)5,649 per 100,000 residents2-yr5-yr

An independent score — crime data quality varies by state, so safety is shown separately and is not part of the overall score.

Source: BOCSAR · Updated March 2026

Schools

Reasonable school mix

Around the national average — a reasonable mix of schools, though the strongest options may require some travel.

Within 10km1 in suburb

Govt (suburb)

Catholic (suburb)

Indep. (suburb)

Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 965 (below the national average of 1000).

In suburb

Sawtell Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1003

Nearby (within 10km)

William Bayldon Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.5kmICSEA 812
Mary Help of Christians Primary School SawtellPrimary · Catholic · 1.6kmICSEA 1052
Toormina Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2kmICSEA 922
Toormina High SchoolSecondary · Government · 2.2kmICSEA 941
Coffs Harbour Bible Church SchoolCombined · Independent · 3kmICSEA 1021
Coffs Harbour Learning CentreSecondary · Government · 3.1kmICSEA 841
Coffs Harbour Christian Community SchoolCombined · Independent · 3.8kmICSEA 1037
Boambee Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 4.2kmICSEA 996
Coffs Harbour Senior CollegeSecondary · Government · 4.3kmICSEA 1038
St John Paul CollegeSecondary · Catholic · 5kmICSEA 1044
Bonville Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 6.2kmICSEA 979
Bishop Druitt CollegeCombined · Independent · 6.7kmICSEA 1109

Source: ACARA MySchool · Updated 2025

Transport

CBD commute (est.)Data not available

Nearest train stationSawtell (1.0 km)

Source: TfNSW GTFS

Employment & Economy

Unemployment rate3.5% · vs NSW avg 4.1% ↓

Top local industries

Health Care & Social Assistance

20.3%

Retail Trade

11.8%

Construction

10.0%

Education & Training

9.9%

Accommodation & Food Services

8.7%

Source: DEWR SALM / ABS Census 2021 · Updated SALM Mar 2026 / 2021 Census

Liveability

27.0°C

Summer max

19.0°C

Winter max

1,700mm

Rainfall/yr

6.8h

Sun/day

Amenities within 2–3km

Counted within a short distance of the suburb centre (so nearby facilities count), with the in-boundary count shown beneath.

30 in suburbSupermarkets

98 in suburbCafes/Rest.

86 in suburbParks

63 in suburbPlaygrounds

2121 in suburbPools

20 in suburbGyms

0Dog parks

21 in suburbGPs

21 in suburbPharmacies

10 in suburbChildcare

10 in suburbLibraries

3622 in suburbSports fields

2Vets

In this suburb

6Public toilets

Air qualityGood air quality (78/100, 2026-07-27)

Nearest beachSawtell Main Beach (780 m)

Nearest hospitalCoffs Harbour Health Campus (5.7 km)

Nearest vet1.8 km

Nearest airportCoffs Harbour (5.6 km)

Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap · Healthdirect NHSD (via Geoscience Australia)

Fitness

Decent access

Around the national average — a reasonable mix of fitness facilities, with more variety a short drive away.

Gyms

Leisure centres

Public pools

Sports fields

Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.

Source: OpenStreetMap

Outdoors

Limited outdoor options

Below average — fewer parks and green spaces close by.

Parks

Nature reserves

Bike paths

Hiking trails

Dog parks

Picnic areas

Skate parks

Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.

Source: OpenStreetMap

Culture

Some cultural venues

Around the national average — a handful of cultural venues, with more on offer a short trip away.

Theatres

Cinemas

Museums

Galleries

Libraries

Arts centres

Landmarks

Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Culture Score is a national percentile weighting theatres, museums, galleries, libraries and arts centres most heavily.

Source: OpenStreetMap

Entertainment Scene

Solid scene

Well above average for licensed venues — you won't struggle for a night out or a good meal.

Pubs & Hotels

Bars

Clubs RSL/Leagues

Dining & Licensed

Licensed venues per 1,000 residents1.32

View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →

Source: Liquor & Gaming NSW · Updated June 2024

Places of Worship

Christian1 in suburb

Total within 3km2

In this suburb1

Mapped places of worship within 3km of the suburb centre, grouped by religion where recorded. Community mapping may not capture every congregation.

Source: OpenStreetMap

Population & Growth

Stable

Annual growth rate0.57%

Projected population 20413,984

Projected households 20411,700

Source: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI

Nearby suburbs in Coffs Harbour

Toormina$865K70transport Boambee East$840K46transport Boambee$1.17M35transport BundagenData not available0transport North Boambee Valley$1.11M0transport Coffs Harbour$886K71transport

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Sawtell

Frequently asked questions about Sawtell

Is Sawtell safe?

Sawtell has a residential safety score of 20/100, based on residential crime (break-ins, theft from dwellings, vehicle theft, domestic assault and robbery) per resident relative to the NSW median. Its total recorded incident rate is 5,649 per 100,000 across all categories.

What are property prices in Sawtell?

In Sawtell, the median house price is $1.16M and the median unit price is $723K. Median weekly house rent is $650.

How far is Sawtell from Sydney CBD?

Sawtell is about 428.3 km from Sydney CBD.

What schools are in Sawtell?

Sawtell has 1 school, with an average ICSEA of 1003 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.

What is public transport like in Sawtell?

Sawtell has a transport score of 54/100.